Thought-provoking

Religion

“In other words, the whole “women are to submit, but loving men won’t take unfair advantage of that” line fails for men who are not “loving” – and it doesn’t let women in those situations off the hook. Instead, it still requires them to submit. In other words, supporters of patriarchy, including those using the term “complementarian,” command women in abusive marriages to just buckle under and accept the abuse. As in, buckling under and accepting the abuse is their duty, and is commanded of them by God.” “A truly loving husband won’t take advantage” – Love, Joy, Feminism

“Our troubles begin as the Cold War gets underway. Three symbolic changes from 1952 through 1956 set the stage: the creation of the National Day of Prayer (1952), the addition of “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance (1954), and “In God We Trust” becoming our official motto (1956). These were all part of a broader attempt to differentiate ourselves from “godless Communists.” Today these are often dismissed as “merely symbolic” issues, but Niose argues that together they formed a ripe medium that allowed ancient modes of thinking to occupy power at the center of the most powerful country that has ever existed.” A Review of David Niose’s Nonbeliever Nation – Friendly Atheist

Equality

“The “myth of male weakness” suggests that at least some men cannot control themselves in the presence of a sexually attractive woman. Women must cover up, the myth says, in order to protect these overgrown boys from their own impulses—and to protect themselves from rape. Defenders of blasphemy laws peddle a comparable “myth of Muslim weakness,” suggesting that Islamic religious sensitivities are so delicate that a schlocky YouTube video can push adult human beings into spontaneous and uncontrolled acts of violence. Each camp shifts responsibility from those who are offended or aroused to those who (intentionally or not) are doing the offending and the arousing. That argument infantilizes heterosexual men and pious Muslims by implying that neither group is sufficiently mature to resist sexual temptation or theological provocation.” Men Aren’t Weak, and Neither Are Muslims – Role / Reboot

“And here’s why my reaction is so strong: Pamela Hall is white. Pamela Hall is a white woman who stepped in front of spray paint and was seen as some fragile martyr protecting a system defending racism that treats her exactly like some fragile martyr who could be hurt by spray paint (by someone who wasn’t even aiming for her) but who can’t possibly in turn hurt a woman who is not white if she happened to push that non-white woman into the tracks or prodded her away with a monopod. Especially if that woman is so damn uppity and has the nerve to employ civil disobedience! Against a delicate white woman? Against her patriarchal establishment that treats her like a princess among savages? No way!” Pamela Hall Should be Arrested for Assault (And Why She Wasn’t) – the fatal feminist

Health

Inspirational

“What if we stopped waiting, stopped trying to make dreams and goals come true, stopped wishing and anticipating? What if that good life is already here, and the only way to live it is to stop looking forward and notice what we already have?” How to Wait Less – zen habits